Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended Edevu Hydro Power for giving 20 Papua New Guinean students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in China valuable work experience in the rugged Koiari mountains of Central Province during their recent vacation.
The students, currently enrolled at university in China, were brought home by Edevu Hydro Power Managing Director Allan Guo, a strong supporter of STEM education in Papua New Guinea. They spent several weeks working at the Edevu Hydro Power Project, gaining firsthand exposure to engineering, energy production, and project management in a real- world setting before returning to their studies.
Prime Minister Marape said such initiatives were crucial to ensuring Papua New Guinea’s overseas scholarship programme produced graduates who not only attained academic excellence but also gained the practical mindset, values, and skills needed to drive the nation forward.
“I thank Mr Allan Guo and the Edevu Hydro Power Company for going beyond words and investing directly in our young people,” PM Marape said.
“These 20 students represent the very best of Papua New Guinea’s future. They are among the top one per cent of our school leavers, and by giving them practical training at home, we are grounding their education in the real challenges and opportunities of nation- building. This is the kind of partnership we need between government, private sector, and education to raise our standards.”
The Prime Minister said the government’s vision was not just to send students abroad but to ensure they returned with the knowledge, discipline, and global exposure required to lift the nation’s capacity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
“When these students graduate, we expect them to come back and contribute at the highest level, raising standards across our professions and industries,” PM Marape said.
“They will not just be engineers or scientists like the ones we already have — they must be leaders who add value, bring innovation, and change the way we build our country.”
PM Marape also acknowledged Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra, Education Minister Hon. Lucas Dekena, STEM advocate Dr Clement Waine, and the Chinese academic partners who met with the students last week, saying their collective support showed a strong alignment between government policy, development partners, and private sector investment.
“This is a model of partnership that I want to see replicated across other sectors — where government, private companies, and our international friends come together to build a stronger future for Papua New Guinea,” he said.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to expanding overseas STEM scholarships and providing more opportunities for practical training at home, saying these efforts were critical as the country celebrates 50 years of independence and prepares for the next 50.